Bind It, Shred It, Laminate It, Finish It: A MyBinding.com Blog

See the Fellowes Helios 30 Thermal Binding Machine in Action

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Fellowes Helios 30 Demo. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Thermal binding machines are some of the most versatile document finishing devices around. Some of the best thermal binders are made by Fellowes, including the Helios 30. This machine is easy to use and you can see it in action by watching video below. Here are a few things you need to know about the Helios 30: 

• This machine can bind documents that are up to 300 pages long. Both softcover and hardback thermal binding cases are compatible with the device, so you can make your documents look great.

• The Helios 30 warms up in just 4 minutes and it can bind multiple documents at once, depending on their thickness. You can measure the thickness of your documents with the machine's built-in thickness detector.

• This machine's binding cycle only lasts for 1 to 3 minutes, so you can crank out work quickly. Producing your documents is safe since the device has a HeatShield safety barrier to keep your hands away from the heating element.

• Once your document is bound, the Helios 30 will beep at you. When that happens, place your document in the machine's cooling rack.

• If you need to, you can continue binding your documents. This device can adjust its settings automatically so you can bind thin and thick documents in one session without any issues.

• After you're done binding your documents, turn off the machine and give it a chance to cool off a bit. You can fold up the device for easy storage.

The Fellowes Helios 30 is a very user-friendly thermal binding machine that can help you produce professional-looking, books even when you're in a hurry. As you can see from watching the video, this device is really easy to use, so creating great-looking work is a snap. Give the Helios 30 a try if you're interested in thermal binding.

 

How to Use the Pro-Bind 1000 Thermal Binding Machine

 

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … How to Bind With the Pro-Bind 1000 Thermal Binding Machine. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

If you need to make your documents look their best, you should use a thermal binding machine. Using one of these devices will make both your hardcover and paperback documents look great, so you can produce professional-looking work for meetings, presentations, and more.

One machine that can help you with the thermal binding process is the Pro-Bind 1000. This is an affordable thermal binding machine that warms up in just 3 minutes and it can bind documents that are up to 220 pages long. If your documents are fairly thin, you can even bind more than 1 per binding cycle. You can use both hardcover and paperback thermal binding cases with the Pro-Bind 1000, so it's pretty versatile and ideal for a variety of different documents. You can even use customized covers with this device.

The Pro-Bind 1000 is easy to use, as you can see from watching the video above. Just turn the machine on, let it warm up for three minutes, and you can start binding. It's important to note that a hardcover document will need to be run through two binding cycles in order to fully activate the adhesive in the spine. When your document is ready, tap it on a hard surface to settle the pages, and let it cool off. It doesn't get much easier than that. Try out the Pro-Bind 1000 thermal binding machine so you can quickly and easily create high-quality work. 

What Makes the Fellowes Helios 30 an Office-Friendly Thermal Binding Machine

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …What Makes the Fellowes Helios 30 an Office-Friendly Thermal Binding Machine. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Fellowes makes excellent document finishing equipment, especially when it comes to binding machines. One of the company's best thermal binders is the office-friendly Helios 30. Here's a rundown of what this machine has to offer:

• The Helios 30 is well-equipped to handle documents that are up to 300 pages long. This device can work with both paperback and hardcover thermal binding cases, so your documents will look like real books.

• This device warms up in just 4 minutes so you won't need to wait very long to start binding your documents. The binding cycle can last for up to 3 minutes depending on the thickness of your documents. It's possible to bind more than 1 book per cycle so you'll be able to save time.

• The Helios 30 can shut off automatically so you won't need to worry about it overheating. The machine also has a HeatShield safety feature that will prevent your hands from coming into contact with the heating element.

• This machine is easy to use thanks to a number of special features. For one thing, this device has an LED control panel and document measuring gauge. There are also audio and visual indicators that will let you know when you can start binding and when your documents are ready.

• The Helios 30 can fold up which makes it easy to store. The machine doesn't take up too much room anywhere because its approximate dimensions are 4” (height) x 21” (width) x 9” (depth).

• And last but not least, this device has a 2-year warranty.

The Fellowes Helios 30 is a terrific thermal binding machine and it's great for office use. This machine is easy to operate and it will help you save time because you can use it to bind more than one document at once. You will stay safe when binding thanks to the Helios 30's HeatShield feature and the motor will stay in great shape since the machine can shut off automatically. And don't forget that this machine won't take up a lot of room and that it has a good warranty. Check out the Helios 30 today.

See the Unibind XU138 Thermal Binding Machine in Action!

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link …See the Unibind XU138 Thermal Binding Machine in Action!. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

 

Have you ever wanted to see a thermal binding machine in action? If so, you've come to the right place because we have a video showcasing the Unibind XU138. This is one of the most popular thermal binding machines on the market thanks to its unique, user-friendly features. Here's a quick rundown of the these features:

• The XU138 can bind books that are up to 340 pages long so it's perfect for different types of documents. Everything from photo albums to financial reports to short story collections can be processed with this machine.

• If you have a number of thin documents to bind, you can bind up to 8 of them at once to save time. This is one of the features that has made the XU138 so popular.

• The XU138 is compatible with many of Unibind's terrific binding covers and spines. These supplies can give your documents a professional look as well as an incredibly strong bond.

• This machine is incredibly easy to use and it requires no maintenance or warm-up time. You can just turn the device on and start binding right away. When your documents have been bound, you can move them to the built-in cooling rack.

• The XU138 has a unique appearance and only measures 15" x 9" x 9.5" so it can fit just about anywhere. It's perfect for small workspaces and can be even be used at home. No matter where you use it, you'll be able to get a lot of use out of it. And don't worry if something goes wrong with it – the machine comes with a 1-year warranty.

As you can see, the Unibind XU138 is easy to operate, provides fast results, and will give your documents the strong bond they need. Be sure to check out MyBinding.com if the XU138 is the right thermal binding machine for you. Happy binding!

See the Pro-Bind 1000 Thermal Binding Machine in Action!

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … How to Bind With the Pro-Bind 1000 Thermal Binding Machine. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

One of the easiest ways to bind documents is by using a thermal binding machine. There are a lot out there and the Pro-Bind 1000 happens to be one of the best. Check out the features it has to offer as well as the video that shows this machine in action. 

• The Pro-Bind 1000 is a thermal binding machine that can bind both hardcover and paperback documents. The throat is 1.25” wide so your documents can be up to 0.75” wide. (Note: the throat can easily accommodate letter-sized paper.) This is a great machine to use for shorter documents such as marketing materials, prospectuses, and so on.

• Using the Pro-Bind 1000 is incredibly easy. All of the controls are up front and are clearly marked so you can start binding in seconds. The machine will beep at you when it's warmed up and ready to begin binding. After document is bound, you can place it in the machine's built-in cooling rack.

• This is one of the most compact thermal binding machines available. Its approximate measurements at 15.5” (width) x 9” (depth) x 4” (height) so you should be able to find room for it on a desk or countertop.

• The Pro-Bind is solidly built and is a great investment if you need a simple thermal binding machine. It comes with a one-year warranty.

If you'd like to see the Pro-Bind 1000 in action, be sure to check out the video below. The video walks you through the entire binding process and shows you how great your documents will look after they've been bound. If the Pro-Bind 1000 is the thermal binding machine for you, visit MyBinding.com so you can order it for your workplace. Happy binding!

 

 

Great Binding Methods for Scrapbooking

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … What to Use As Binding For Your Scrapbooks. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Scrapbooking is a great hobby. It offers you a way to be as artistic as possible while creating mementos that can be treasured for years and even passed down to new generations. Since this craft is so popular, there are a lot of supplies available for it including scrapbooks that have already been bound. However, it is possible to bind your own – you just need to choose a bookbinding method. Here are a few you can choose from....

1. Plastic comb binding. This is one of the easiest ways to make a scrapbook and the supplies are pretty cheap. (You can even get a binding device for very little money since some machines cost less than $100.00.) You've probably seen plastic combs before since they're used to bind a lot of different kinds of books. Plastic combs can bind books that are more than 400 pages long and they can be re-opened so you can edit your scrapbook as often as you want. There are a lot of different colors available so you can find one that matches your book's color scheme. This is a great bookbinding method for scrapbooks so be sure to give it some consideration.

2. Twin-loop wire binding. If you want to create an elegant-looking book, using a twin-loop wire binding machine is a great way to do so. This bookbinding method is especially good for scrapbooks that commemorate weddings or other special events. One of the best things about wire spines is that when they're closed, they make the book lie completely flat. (This makes for easy reading.)  You can also rotate the pages pretty freely which makes it easier to view the book's contents. Wire spines and machines are a little bit more expensive that what you need for comb binding, but it's worth it if you're really into your craft.

3. Thermal binding. Finally, thermal binding is a terrific way to assemble your scrapbook. It's fast and easy. Depending on the device, there are sometimes just three steps to the process so you can spend more time enjoying the fruits of your labor. You can make hardcover books with thermal machines which is really helpful if you want to create a scrapbook that will last a long time. There are some other great thermal covers available including ones that have windows cut into them so you can show off a title page. Thermal devices can be pricey so you'll want to think carefully before getting one. However, once you use one, you'll probably be so impressed with the results that you'll wonder why you ever used anything else.

There are other bookbinding methods out there, but plastic comb, twin-loop wire, and thermal binding are particularly good ones when it comes to scrapbooking. The biggest advantage to assembling your own book is that you have total control over the entire process. This will enable you to create scrapbooks you can take pride in. Be sure to think about assembling your own scrapbooks. It will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. 

School Yearbooks: Make Your Own to Save Money

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … School Yearbooks: Make Your Own to Save Money. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

 Is your school one of the many that's facing unending budget cuts? If it is, you're probably wondering how you can help the institution save money and still keep certain programs in place. One of the first things to go when budgets get tight is the school yearbook so you'll be glad to know that you can make your own and save some money. Here's a rundown of how you can do so:

• The first step is to have your students design and create the contents of the yearbook. Allow them to get creative and experiment with different fonts, layouts, and such. Once the book is put together, you can start thinking about printing it. Using your school's photocopier is the cheapest way to do this. You can either use regular 20 lb. bond paper or something a little bit fancier. Whichever paper you choose, make sure your machine can handle it.

• When your books have been printed, it's time to select the covers for them. You're going to need thermal binding covers. These covers have adhesive in the spines that melt when they're placed in a thermal binding machine. This produces a strong binding so the yearbooks can be enjoyed throughout the years. When selecting your covers, make sure you choose one that are just the right size so that the pages won't fall out of the books. Both hardback and softback covers are available.

• One thing you might want to consider when selecting your covers is whether you want them to be customized or not. There are a lot of options available including offset printing, embossing, foil printing, and so on. Just keep in mind that customized covers can be a bit pricey. If the cost becomes prohibitive, it doesn't hurt to hold a fundraiser to get the funds you need. Also, if you do choose to get customized covers, you'll need to order them a few months ahead of time since it takes a while for them to be produced.

• Now that your yearbooks are printed and you have your covers have been selected, you can start binding them. Since you used thermal covers you're going to need to use a thermal binding machine. Using this type is device is very easy. All you really need to do is turn the machine on and let it warm up, stick the document in, and give it a couple of minutes. You'll have a bound yearbook in no time at all. Many thermal binding machines can bind more than one document at a time which is very convenient. One thing to keep in mind is that you'll probably need to crimp the spines of the yearbooks. This only takes a minute or so and it strengthens the spines so the books will last longer.

Although budget cuts have seemingly become a permanent of life, you can still make sure that your students have yearbooks at the end of the year. Making your own can help you save a lot of money so you can continue this tradition. Good luck and have fun creating your own yearbooks!

 

Four Different Binding Methods: An Introduction

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Four Different Binding Methods: An Introduction. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Do you need to bind some documents? If so, here are four different bookbinding methods you should know about in order to get the results you need. Here they are in alphabetical order.

• Coil binding. This bookbinding method entails spinning plastic coils through the holes punched near the edge of a document. Sometimes this method is called “color coil binding” because the coils are available in dozens of colors ranging from black to fluorescent green. One of the major advantages to using coils is that they allow your documents to lie flat which makes them easier to read. They're available in many sizes as well so you can bind documents that are up to 440 pages long. (Note: putting together longer documents can be a bit tricky. So you should keep that in mind if you're planning on producing thick books.) Coils are perfect for reports, portfolios, workbooks, and more.

• Comb binding. This is probably the most popular bookbinding method even though it's been around for almost half a century. Its popularity is based on a few factors including low cost, which is always a plus. It's very easy to bind with plastic combs so it's a good choice for a beginner. Combs can be up to 2” thick and bind books containing as many as 425 pages. This is another method that will allow your document to lie flat so you can use it to bind workbooks, cookbooks, and so on.

• Thermal binding. This method has grown in popularity in recent years because it can make any document look like a professionally bound book. This bookbinding method entails putting the pages of your book into thermal cover and then placing the entire thing in a thermal binding machine. The heat the machine emits will melt the adhesive in the cover's spine. The process only takes a couple of minutes but it will give your a book that looks like a hardcover of paperback book you'd see in a bookstore. The supplies for this bookbinding technique can be a bit pricy but the results are worth it, especially if you have a client or colleague you're trying to impress.

• Wire binding. Finally, there's wire binding which is great if you want to make your documents look sophisticated and professional. Wire spines come in several different colors (gold and silver are very popular) and they can be used to bind documents that are up to 300 pages long. This bookbinding method is used a lot for marketing materials and it can also be used for presentations, catalogs, and more. Wire spines will let your book lie flat and you can even wrap the pages around which is convenient. The only drawback to use wire spines is that they can be crushed pretty easily, so they're not the best choice if you're going to be mailing your work.

All four of these binding methods can help you produce great-looking documents. Choose the one that's right for you and get ready to start binding!

Fixing Paperback Books With Your Thermal Binding Machine

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Fixing Paperback Books With Your Thermal Binding Machine. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Reading is a terrific pastime that's enjoyed by people of all ages. Paperbacks are incredibly popular because they're less expensive than hardcovers, are smaller and lighter (and thus, more portable), and often have extras in the back such as author interviews and discussion questions. For all their advantages over hardcover tomes, paperbacks do have one major disadvantage: they can fall apart after they've been handled a lot. However, it's possible to fix them with a thermal binding machine. This article will walk you through the process so you can get back to reading. 

First off, the reasons why paperbacks fall apart so easily is because the spine cracks. This is especially true in older books as well as ones that were produced by publishers that use less expensive adhesives. If you want to fix this problem, you can use your thermal binding machine to melt the adhesive and rebind the book. At this point, make sure your machine is turned on and ready to go.

Once your machine is ready, place the book in the opening so that the adhesive can melt. When the glue is soft, take the book out of your machine and gently tap the spine on a hard surface (i.e. a countertop) to set the pages and line everything up. You should let the book cool off before using it so that the binding is secure. If you have other tomes you need to fix, feel free to do so. (You might want to work with a bunch of volumes in one sitting so you can get it over with.)

As you're working, you may come across a book with a detached spine. If you do, you can fix the tome with a thermal binding glue strip. These strips come in different lengths so you should be able to find some that are perfect for your needs. (If they're too long, just trim them with a pair of scissors. The strips are usually about 1” thick which is a pretty good width for most paperbacks.) Slide the strip inside the book and then put it in your thermal binding machine. After the binding cycle is complete, remove the tome from the machine and let it cool off. That's all you need to do.

You can use these techniques in a variety of environments including the home which is great for people who are committed readers. This is also a great way to take care of well-circulated library titles and it can also be done in the classroom. (Make sure that any children within the area of the device are supervised.) Fixing your books with a thermal binding machine is very easy and it will help you get the most out of them. (It will also help you save money because you won't need new copies of your favorite and/or important titles. That will really add up over the years if you read a lot.) Consider fixing your books with a thermal binding machine today so you can continue reading.

Self-Publishing Your Book: Binding Options to Consider

This post was originally written for MyBindingBlog.com and can be found at on that blog by following this link … Self-Publishing Your Book: Binding Options to Consider. Please feel free to check out this post along with many other helpful reviews, demos, how to videos and more on the official blog of MyBinding.com.

Being a writer is a challenging, rewarding occupation and one of the major perks of the job is publishing a book that you've worked really hard on. However, it can be difficult to land that big-time book deal (especially given the country's current economic crisis) and get that book out into the world. That's where self-publishing comes in. When you self-publish your work, you have control over everything including the actual binding process. Here are several devices and methods to consider when it comes time to bind your book.

1. A booklet maker.  If you have a group of poems you want to publish or a handful of short stories, you might want to consider putting a chapbook together. A chapbook is a small volume that's usually stapled and they can often be found in the literary journals section of your local periodicals stand. You can put together a chapbook with a booklet maker, a machine designed to fold and staple paper. Just drop the covers and pages of your manuscript in the feeder and it will get to work for you. You can make just a few chapbooks or a bunch of them with this type of device which makes it a great option for self-publishing.

2. Twin-loop wire binding.  Wire binding is very popular because it makes any document look sophisticated. It's an ideal choice for poetry collections and memoirs. And it's especially great for cookbooks because the wire spine will allow the book to lie flat when it's open. Wire spines can be used to bind manuscripts that are up to 300 pages long. They're available in several different colors (including silver and gold) and there's likely a hue that will complement your book's cover quite nicely. One thing to keep in mind about wire spines is that they're usually 11” long so they might not be the best choice for smaller books.

3. Thermal binding.  If producing a professional-looking book is high on your priority list, you should consider thermal binding. Not only is thermal binding fast and easy to do, it can make any manuscript look like a book that could be sold in bookstores and online. You can use hardback covers if you want or take advantage of the many softback covers available. The covers can be embossed with foil or be offset printed so your work will be as eye-catching as possible. When you use this document finishing method, you can put together documents that are up to 475 pages long, so it's a great choice for lengthy novels and non-fiction works.

Binding is an essential part of the self-publishing process and it's important to choose a method that's workable and provides you with the results you need. The bookbinding devices and methods mentioned above can help you produce books you can be proud of whether you're publishing a chapbook or a long novel. Decide what will work best for you so you can get your book out there. Good luck!